Baby not practicing breathing?!

I had an ultrasound done today because the doctor wanted to make sure my boy was out of breech position (he's finally head down, yay!) But I was told by the ultrasound tech that she could not see any breathing movements. I was promptly whisked off for a NST, in which baby's heart rate and movements were normal. However, I now have to go back weekly until he is born for BPP ultrasounds. None of the nurses or doctor explained anything to me really, and I was really overwhelmed because they also checked my BP about 6 times while I was there and are having me do a 24 urine collection. I kind of felt bombarded by everything they were telling me and I didn't even get the chance to ask any questions. (or even think of the proper questions to ask) So I am wondering if anyone has had any experience with the baby not doing breathing movements or what it could mean if he's not doing them? He's gotten hiccups plenty of times, so I assume that means he's got to have some kind of normal lung development, but I'm still worried...

I had an ultrasound done today because the doctor wanted to make sure my boy was out of breech position (he's finally head down, yay!) But I was told by the ultrasound tech that she could not see any breathing movements. I was promptly whisked off for a NST, in which baby's heart rate and movements were normal. However, I now have to go back weekly until he is born for BPP ultrasounds. None of the nurses or doctor explained anything to me really, and I was really overwhelmed because they also checked my BP about 6 times while I was there and are having me do a 24 urine collection. I kind of felt bombarded by everything they were telling me and I didn't even get the chance to ask any questions. (or even think of the proper questions to ask) So I am wondering if anyone has had any experience with the baby not doing breathing movements or what it could mean if he's not doing them? He's gotten hiccups plenty of times, so I assume that means he's got to have some kind of normal lung development, but I'm still worried...

I had a BPP at 36 weeks 2 days and baby was practice breathing. This is our 4th and I had never had an ultrasound this late before so I didn't know much abt it.If your little one isn't practice breathing, can they give it a steroid shot to help lungs develop? Good luck!

I had a BPP at 36 weeks 2 days and baby was practice breathing. This is our 4th and I had never had an ultrasound this late before so I didn't know much abt it.If your little one isn't practice breathing, can they give it a steroid shot to help lungs develop? Good luck!

if they are not explaining anything to you, you should not be shy about asking...if u don't know what to ask, just do like me and ask what's that, what's it do, why and how to everything...they don't mind

if they are not explaining anything to you, you should not be shy about asking...if u don't know what to ask, just do like me and ask what's that, what's it do, why and how to everything...they don't mind

By chance was LO sleeping? I has BPP's once a week for six weeks bf he was born. The last two didnt show him practicing, but it was during his quiet time. Next time drink some cold juice a little before you goback.... also see if they will do the BPP if you lay on your side. He was 36.6 weeks whem he was born. Dont worry too much Mama.....

By chance was LO sleeping? I has BPP's once a week for six weeks bf he was born. The last two didnt show him practicing, but it was during his quiet time. Next time drink some cold juice a little before you goback.... also see if they will do the BPP if you lay on your side. He was 36.6 weeks whem he was born. Dont worry too much Mama.....

Try not to worry too much... I had one last week and the tech explained in great detail that actually seeing the baby doing their practice breathing is really challenging and thats the number one reason people "fail" these scans and have to keep coming back for more. She said its really challenging to see because they sleep.so much at this point and even when theyre awake they dont practice this movement all the time. Its hard when they dont explain things in enough detail and easy to freak a pregnant lady out!!

Try not to worry too much... I had one last week and the tech explained in great detail that actually seeing the baby doing their practice breathing is really challenging and thats the number one reason people "fail" these scans and have to keep coming back for more. She said its really challenging to see because they sleep.so much at this point and even when theyre awake they dont practice this movement all the time. Its hard when they dont explain things in enough detail and easy to freak a pregnant lady out!!

Don't worry momma, think of it this way...if they were super worried, I bet they would have talked to you about scheduling a c-section or seeing a specialist. I don't know anything about the practice breathing, but I imagine they would have let you know if it was something super serious. Sounds like they just want to do some extra ultrasounds to check up on L.O. and make sure all is okay, that's good medical care! Better safe than sorry. Take care of yourself and try to relax.....I know it's hard!! Hang in there and keep us updated :) Hugs!

Don't worry momma, think of it this way...if they were super worried, I bet they would have talked to you about scheduling a c-section or seeing a specialist. I don't know anything about the practice breathing, but I imagine they would have let you know if it was something super serious. Sounds like they just want to do some extra ultrasounds to check up on L.O. and make sure all is okay, that's good medical care! Better safe than sorry. Take care of yourself and try to relax.....I know it's hard!! Hang in there and keep us updated :) Hugs!

I agree with others. Sounds like he's healthy, they just have to make sure he's practice breathing when he's awake. I get them weekly due to twins and GD and I always eat and drink a little caffeine before and they're usuallyshocked to see them practice breathing so quickly so it must not be that uncommon to not catch it. They prob just caught him napping ;)

I agree with others. Sounds like he's healthy, they just have to make sure he's practice breathing when he's awake. I get them weekly due to twins and GD and I always eat and drink a little caffeine before and they're usuallyshocked to see them practice breathing so quickly so it must not be that uncommon to not catch it. They prob just caught him napping ;)

Sugaree explained it the same way I was told by my US tech - breathing practice is very tough to catch. If LO is getting hiccups pretty regularly, things are likely fine in the breathing department. If I were you, I would advise your practitioner that you're feeling hiccups regularly (keep a journal, perhaps, of occurrences and duration to bring to your next appt) and, fun as it is to get the view inside, I'd seriously question the true medical necessity of weekly ultrasounds if this is the only thing that is causing them concern.

Sugaree explained it the same way I was told by my US tech - breathing practice is very tough to catch. If LO is getting hiccups pretty regularly, things are likely fine in the breathing department. If I were you, I would advise your practitioner that you're feeling hiccups regularly (keep a journal, perhaps, of occurrences and duration to bring to your next appt) and, fun as it is to get the view inside, I'd seriously question the true medical necessity of weekly ultrasounds if this is the only thing that is causing them concern.

They are unable to get my baby to do practice breathing as well, which did make me worried, but they don't seem to worry, so I try not to as well. I was told as long as my NST's were "reactive" then everything was fine. I go for NST's 2x a week since week 32 and they are aways "reactive". Also she gets the hiccups a decent amount of times, many times when they are doing the NST I can actually here her hiccuping and the hiccups are stronger then the sound of her hb. I figure as long as my docs aren't concerned then I don't need to worry myself. I Worry enough as it is.

They are unable to get my baby to do practice breathing as well, which did make me worried, but they don't seem to worry, so I try not to as well. I was told as long as my NST's were "reactive" then everything was fine. I go for NST's 2x a week since week 32 and they are aways "reactive". Also she gets the hiccups a decent amount of times, many times when they are doing the NST I can actually here her hiccuping and the hiccups are stronger then the sound of her hb. I figure as long as my docs aren't concerned then I don't need to worry myself. I Worry enough as it is.

The material on this website is provided for educational purposes only and is not to be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, or in place of therapy or medical care. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy

Advertising Notice

This Site and third parties who place advertisements on this Site may collect and use information about your visits to this Site and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like to obtain more information about these advertising practices and to make choices about online behavioral advertising, please click here